Civil claims for sexual assault, abuse, or harassment. Deadlines range from 2 to 20 years depending on the state.
✓ All 50 states + D.C. — Updated 2026Quick answer: Sexual Assault deadlines range from 2 years (Georgia) to 20 years (New York). Exact periods, citations and exceptions for every state are listed below.
Data last reviewed: October 2026. General information, not legal advice.
Each tile is a state; color shows the sexual assault filing period. Click a state for details.
| State ↕ | Years to File ↑ | Official Statute | Key Exception |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 2 yr | O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33.1 | Childhood abuse: extended period — consult an attorney |
| Pennsylvania | 2 yr | 42 Pa. C.S. § 5533 | No SOL for childhood sexual abuse (SOVS Act 2019; window claims deadline passed Nov 2023) |
| Alabama | 3 yr | Ala. Code § 6-2-38 | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Alaska | 3 yr | Alaska Stat. § 09.10.070 | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Arizona | 3 yr | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-542 | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Arkansas | 3 yr | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105 | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Connecticut | 3 yr | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584 | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Delaware | 3 yr | Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 8119 | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| District of Columbia | 3 yr | D.C. Code § 12-301(8) | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Hawaii | 3 yr | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-7 | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Idaho | 3 yr | Idaho Code § 5-219(4) | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Indiana | 3 yr | Ind. Code § 34-11-2-4 | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Iowa | 3 yr | Iowa Code § 614.1(2) | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Kansas | 3 yr | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-513(a)(4) | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Kentucky | 3 yr | Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 413.140(1)(a) | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Louisiana | 3 yr | La. Civ. Code Ann. art. 3493.10 | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Maryland | 3 yr | Md. Code Ann., Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101 | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Massachusetts | 3 yr | M.G.L. c. 260 § 4C | Minority tolling extends period for childhood abuse |
| Mississippi | 3 yr | Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49 | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Montana | 3 yr | Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-204 | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Nevada | 3 yr | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e) | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| New Hampshire | 3 yr | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4 | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| New Mexico | 3 yr | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 37-1-8 | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| North Carolina | 3 yr | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52(5) | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Oklahoma | 3 yr | Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95(A)(3) | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Oregon | 3 yr | ORS 12.117 | No SOL for childhood sexual abuse (Oregon law) |
| Rhode Island | 3 yr | R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14(b) | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| South Carolina | 3 yr | S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530(5) | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| South Dakota | 3 yr | S.D. Codified Laws § 15-2-14.1 | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Tennessee | 3 yr | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104(a)(1) | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Vermont | 3 yr | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 12, § 512(4) | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Virginia | 3 yr | Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-243(A) | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Washington | 3 yr | RCW 4.16.340 | No SOL for childhood sexual abuse (2022 SB 5693) |
| West Virginia | 3 yr | W. Va. Code § 55-2-12(b) | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Wisconsin | 3 yr | Wis. Stat. § 893.54(1m) | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Florida | 4 yr | Fla. Stat. § 95.11(9) | Childhood abuse (before age 16): 7 years from age 18, or 4 years from discovery, whichever is later |
| Nebraska | 4 yr | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207 | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Utah | 4 yr | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-307 | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Wyoming | 4 yr | Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C) | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Missouri | 5 yr | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4) | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Texas | 5 yr | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.0045 | No SOL for sexual abuse of a minor where criminal conviction exists (post-2017) |
| Colorado | 6 yr | C.R.S. § 13-80-103.7 | No SOL for childhood sexual abuse claims (SB 21-73, 2021) |
| Maine | 6 yr | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752 | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| Minnesota | 6 yr | Minn. Stat. § 541.073 | No SOL for childhood sexual abuse (2023 amendment) |
| North Dakota | 6 yr | N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-16(5) | Discovery rule for repressed or suppressed memory |
| New Jersey | 7 yr | N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:61B-1 | No SOL for childhood sexual abuse (SOL eliminated 2019) |
| California | 10 yr | Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 340.16 | For childhood sexual abuse against an institution: no SOL under AB 218 (until 2026 revival window) |
| Illinois | 10 yr | 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2 | No SOL for child sexual abuse claims (2019 amendment) |
| Michigan | 10 yr | MCL 600.5805(12) | No SOL for criminal sexual conduct of a minor (MCL 600.5851b) |
| Ohio | 12 yr | ORC § 2305.111 | Childhood abuse: 12 years from age 18 |
| New York | 20 yr | N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214-j (CAVS Act) | CVA: claims filed by survivors who were under 18 at time of abuse may be brought until age 55 |
Of 51 jurisdictions, 2 give 2 years, 33 give 3 years, 4 give 4 years, 2 give 5 years, 4 give 6 years, 1 give 7 years, 3 give 10 years, 1 give 12 years, 1 give 20 years.
| Region | Average | Shortest | Longest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | 5.6 years | 2 years | 20 years |
| Midwest | 5.7 years | 3 years | 12 years |
| South | 3.1 years | 2 years | 5 years |
| West | 3.9 years | 3 years | 10 years |
In many states, especially for sexual assault claims, the clock doesn't start until you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the harm. This is especially important when injuries aren't immediately obvious.
Most states pause (toll) the statute of limitations while the victim is under 18. The clock typically starts running on their 18th birthday. Similar rules may apply to those who are mentally incapacitated.
Suing a city, county, or state agency? Most states require a "Notice of Claim" filed within 60–180 days of the incident — before you can even file a lawsuit. Missing this shorter deadline can permanently bar your claim.
If the defendant actively hid their wrongdoing, courts may extend your deadline. This is called "equitable tolling" due to fraudulent concealment. You generally must show you acted diligently to discover the claim.
Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 340.16
For childhood sexual abuse against an institution: no SOL under AB 218 (until 2026 revival window)
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.0045
No SOL for sexual abuse of a minor where criminal conviction exists (post-2017)
Fla. Stat. § 95.11(9)
Childhood abuse (before age 16): 7 years from age 18, or 4 years from discovery, whichever is later
N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214-j (CAVS Act)
CVA: claims filed by survivors who were under 18 at time of abuse may be brought until age 55
42 Pa. C.S. § 5533
No SOL for childhood sexual abuse (SOVS Act 2019; window claims deadline passed Nov 2023)
Filing deadlines vary significantly by the type of legal claim. Explore deadlines for other case types across all 50 states.
It depends on the state. Sexual Assault deadlines run from 2 years (Georgia and Pennsylvania) to 20 years (New York), with a median of 3 years.
Georgia and Pennsylvania give just 2 years.
New York give 20 years, the longest in this dataset.
Not always. In 49 of 51 jurisdictions the sexual assault start rule in our data refers to discovery of the harm. Check the state page for the exact accrual rule.
Use the table above or the map to open your state's page, which lists the statute citation, when the clock starts and common exceptions.
StatuteLimits.com. "Sexual Assault Statute of Limitations by State (2026)." Reviewed October 2026. https://www.statutelimits.com/case-types/sexual-assault
Statute of limitations rules for sexual assault cases are complex. Exceptions, tolling rules, and government notice requirements can significantly change your actual deadline.
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